The American company Sikorsky Aircraft expects to sell about 400 helicopters in the region over the next five to 10 years as it expands its presence in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
“There are dozens of aircraft to be delivered in the region,” said Anand Stanley, the company’s vice president and general manager for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa.
“We are actively working at expanding our presence and commitment to investment in the UAE, the GCC and the broader region.”
Sikorsky plans to open a regional office in Abu Dhabi in the second half of this year. The company, part of the United Technologies conglomerate, will also open a business unit this year in Saudi Arabia to provide services for commercial and military aircraft.
Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala, Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin are founding members of Ammroc – an advanced military maintenance, repair and overhaul centre in Abu Dhabi.
There are about 400 Sikorsky aircraft operating in the region and Mr Stanley said he expects fleet modernisation initiatives to drive future demand.
selgazzar@thenational.ae
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